Tree and Shrub Project History and Plan
Tree and Shrub Project History and Plan
Recently spotted running on the patios and grass behind units 40-90, chasing a rabbit. We were not able to catch a photo of the guy as he was moving too fast. After research we believe that the critter is: American Mink -Neovison vision
Characteristics
American Mink -Neovison vison
The mink has a long, sleek body about two feet long. It has short, stubby legs; a long neck; small ears and eyes and a long, thick tail. In fact, one third of the mink’s length is its tail! It has brown to black fur with white fur on its chin and a little bit of white fur on its throat. Its fur is very soft and thick and covered with oily guard hairs that make the mink’s coat waterproof. The mink has slightly webbed feet.
Range
The mink can be found in most of the United States and Canada except for Hawaii, Arizona, southern California, southern and central Utah, southern New Mexico and western Texas.
Habitat
The mink lives in forested areas that are near rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and marshes.
Diet
The mink is a carnivore. It eats muskrats, rabbits, mice, chipmunks, fish, snakes, frogs and birds. It kills its prey by biting it on the neck. It sometimes stores extra food in its den. The mink digs its den in river banks or it finds a hollow log or an abandoned beaver or muskrat den. It never uses the same den for long.
Life Cycle
Mating season runs January through April. The female will have a litter of three to six young in a fur-lined nest. The babies are weaned when they are five to six weeks old. The babies will stay with their mother until the fall.
Behavior
The mink spends a lot of its time in the water hunting for food. It is a good swimmer and can dive as deep as 16 feet. Like the skunk, the mink sprays intruders.
Other: The American mink is more commonly sighted in this environment, however: 
Source of information: “The Internet”